The Administrative and Tax Court of Braga admitted the interim injunction request filed by the Association Vian'Acorda to halt the construction of the new market in Viana do Castelo, aiming to safeguard archaeological findings found at the site. The decision, dated September 1st, grants the City Council a 10-day period to file an opposition to the provisional injunction requested by the association, which was established in June last year for the defense of heritage.
Vian'Acorda is represented by architect Rui Martins, who was part of the municipal executive led by former socialist mayor of the Council, Defensor Moura. The association has not commented so far on the reasons that led it to request the interim injunction.
The mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre, assured that the municipality has always complied with the law and will activate all administrative, judicial and compensation mechanisms against the association for any delays in the construction and loss of funding. The socialist mayor stated that collective interest prevails over private interest and that he will never abandon this principle.
The construction of the new municipal market, located in the former Coutinho building demolished in 2022, resumed on September 1st after being suspended in January due to an archaeological intervention. This revealed non-religious structures of the old São Bento Convent, founded in the 16th century. The Council is finalizing a project to integrate the findings into a future Archaeology Hub in the business area of Praia Norte, having carried out preservation through cartographic, photographic, and digital recording and publication of the remains. The future market will have 56 stalls, 28 commercial spaces and 91 parking spaces in the basement.
